Shadowing Practice: 15 Words Native English Speakers Use EVERY DAY - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
203 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Today, I'm going to teach you 15 words that native English speakers use every single day.
2
And here's the tricky part.
3
You probably already know all of the words I'm going to teach you, but you might not know how native speakers actually use them in daily conversation.
4
So make sure to watch until the end of today's video.
5
My name is Michael, and it's my goal to make you fluent in English.
6
The first word on our list is head.
7
now this is my head head is a noun but native english speakers use the word head as a verb
8
to head somewhere to head somewhere just means to go somewhere
9
i'm gonna head home i'm going to go home i'm gonna
10
head home where are you headed where are you going where are you head it.
11
We should head out before it gets dark.
12
We should head out, we should leave before it gets dark.
13
To head somewhere, to go somewhere.
14
The next verb is the verb to grab.
15
If you grab something, you hold it tightly.
16
But native English speakers use the verb to grab for a lot of other things as well.
17
For example, let's grab coffee means let's go for coffee.
18
Let's grab coffee.
19
Let's grab lunch.
20
Let's grab dinner.
21
Let's grab a bite to eat.
22
Let's grab something to eat.
23
Let's grab a bite to eat.
24
Let's go get something to eat.
25
Let's grab it.
26
I need to grab some milk from the store.
27
I need to grab some milk from the store.
28
The next word or rather two words is never mind.
29
Never mind.
30
When somebody says never mind, they're telling you to forget whatever they just said.
31
Never mind is another way of saying it's not important.
32
I lost my keys.
33
Oh, never mind.
34
I found them.
35
Never mind.
36
I don't need your help.
37
I'll do it myself.
38
Can you help me fix my computer?
39
Oh, never mind.
40
It's working now.
41
Never mind.
42
All right, the next one is I guess.
43
I guess.
44
I guess we can go tomorrow.
45
I guess she's busy today.
46
It's okay.
47
I guess.
48
I guess means I think so, but I'm not 100 % sure.
49
I guess.
50
It can also indicate agreement, but not 100 % agreement.
51
For example, are you coming to the party?
52
Yeah, I guess so.
53
I'm going to, but I'm not 100 % sure.
54
I guess so.
55
Another modifier is kind of.
56
Kind of or kinda.
57
Kinda means a little or somewhat.
58
It makes a statement softer.
59
I'm kind of tired today.
60
I'm not really tired.
61
I'm just kind of tired.
62
I'm a little tired.
63
Kinda.
64
It's kind of cold in here.
65
It's kind of cold in here.
66
Hmm.
67
I kind of like this song.
68
I kind of like it.
69
Did you enjoy the concert?
70
Kind of.
71
I guess.
72
Anyway.
73
This is another common one.
74
Anyway.
75
Anyway is used to change the subject or return to the main point of conversation.
76
Anyway, what were you saying earlier?
77
I forgot.
78
Anyway, enough conversation.
79
Let's go back to work.
80
Anyway is a good transition word to link sentences together or to go back to whatever you were talking about before.
81
Another word you'll commonly hear is the word whatever.
82
Whatever means I don't care or it doesn't matter to me.
83
Whatever.
84
Do what you want.
85
Pizza or pasta.
86
Whatever.
87
I like both.
88
I don't care.
89
Whatever.
90
Whatever can also mean anything.
91
Order whatever you want.
92
Order whatever you want.
93
Whatever happens, I'll be there.
94
Whatever happens, I'll be there.
95
I don't care what happens, I will be there.
96
Okay, before we continue on to the next word on our list, if you're enjoying this video, make sure to subscribe to English at the Ready here on YouTube.
97
Leave a like and let know in the comments
98
if you've heard native speakers say any of these words
99
if you want to study english with me click the link
100
in the description below to learn more about my online programs i've helped thousands of students improve their english
101
and i want to help you too
102
so click the link to learn more okay on to the
103
next word random random random is a really common word you'll hear native speakers use all the time.
104
Random means unexpected, strange, or without a clear reason.
105
A random guy said hi to me.
106
A random guy said hi to me.
107
That was a random thing to say.
108
That was a random thing to say.
109
I don't know why he said it.
110
That was random.
111
I get random emails every day.
112
I get random emails, unexpected emails, every day.
113
Random.
114
All right.
115
Somehow.
116
The word somehow is commonly used to describe something you can't explain.
117
If you can't explain how something happened or how something was done, you can use the word somehow.
118
For example, somehow I lost my keys.
119
I have no idea how, but somehow I lost them.
120
We'll fix it somehow.
121
We'll fix it somehow.
122
I don't know how, but somehow we'll fix it the cat somehow got on the roof.
123
I have no clue how she did it, but somehow she got on the roof.
124
Somehow.
125
Actually.
126
Actually means really.
127
It's often used to correct somebody politely or to say something surprising.
128
For example, actually the meeting is at three, not two.
129
Actually the meeting is at three, not two.
130
I actually enjoyed the class.
131
I didn't expect it, but I enjoyed it.
132
It's actually not that expensive.
133
It's actually not that expensive.
134
Did you actually read the whole book?
135
Did you actually read the whole book?
136
Did you really read the whole book?
137
I don't believe you.
138
Did you actually read it?
139
All right, we learned I guess earlier.
140
Now let's look at I mean.
141
I mean.
142
It's fine.
143
I mean, it's not perfect, but it works.
144
He's tall.
145
I mean, really tall.
146
I mean is used to explain or to correct what you just said.
147
I saw her last week.
148
Oh, I mean, last month.
149
I like pizza.
150
I mean, pasta.
151
I mean.
152
All right.
153
Apparently.
154
Apparently is another very common word apparently is used
155
when you're talking about something you heard or saw but you don't know for a fact.
156
Apparently the store is closed today.
157
That's what it said on the website, apparently.
158
Apparently they're moving to Canada but they haven't told me yet.
159
She hasn't responded so apparently she didn't get my message.
160
Apparently.
161
All right, the word though is another very common word it's often used by native speakers as a synonym for
162
but or however
163
but in spoken english we put it at the end of
164
a sentence it's expensive it's good though i like the color
165
it's too small though it was a hard day fun though though is probably not your best choice for academic writing,
166
you'd be better off using however or but.
167
But though is a very common word in spoken English.
168
All right, let's talk about the notorious like.
169
Like, like, like.
170
You'll hear native speakers, Americans especially, Brits, Canadians, everybody says like.
171
Now like is a filler word.
172
It's like um or uh.
173
Do I recommend using like in your speech?
174
No, it's a bad habit and it's a bad habit for many native English speakers, but you will hear native speakers use the word like all the time.
175
I'm guilty of this as well.
176
I'm sure everybody or most people are guilty of saying like too much when they speak.
177
It was like really cold or like we went to the beach
178
and like we went swimming and yeah it was like a great time.
179
Obviously that doesn't sound very polished but that's something you might hear a lot of native speakers say.
180
And last but not least we have the word literally.
181
In American English it's pronounced literally, literally, literally.
182
In British English people pronounce it literally, literally.
183
This is another word that is commonly used in everyday speech, and it is commonly misused.
184
That is, native speakers often use it incorrectly.
185
They say literally when something is not literal.
186
Native speakers often use it to add emphasis or exaggeration to something.
187
For example, the bus stop is literally right outside my front door.
188
I literally just got home.
189
I literally have no money left.
190
I'm literally dying of hunger.
191
I haven't eaten since breakfast.
192
This is not literal.
193
It's not the exact truth because you're not literally dying.
194
you're using literally to add exaggeration or emphasis.
195
Literally.
196
All right, we've come to the end of today's video.
197
You've literally somehow made it, like, I guess all the way to the end of this video.
198
Anyway, whatever.
199
Make sure to subscribe to English at the Ready here on YouTube.
200
Leave a like and let me know in the comments if you found this video useful.
201
If you want to study English with me, click the link in the description below to learn more about my online programs.
202
I've helped thousands of students improve their English, and I want to help you too.
203
I'll see you in the next lesson.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Same Channel
B11
Do you feel NERVOUS to speak English? Watch this.
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Why learning English is so difficult.
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1How to Learn English (Even If You Think You’re 'Bad' at Languages)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
Why You Always Forget English Words (Science Explains)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
Don’t Always Say I’M GOOD in English - Say This Instead! | English Vocabulary Lesson
Business EnglishInterview EnglishDaily Conversation
B13
HOW TO LEARN ENGLISH: Complete Study Plan 2026
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B12
Stop Saying SORRY in English - Say This Instead!
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B139
Why you can understand English but can't speak.
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
C16 Habits Destroying Your English (Fix These NOW)
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B19
Speak English With Me: 15-Minute English Podcast (Real-Life Listening Practice)
Daily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B17
Things You Should NEVER Say in English Small Talk (Don't Make These Mistakes!)
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B23
Learn English With a Story: Hiking a Volcano | B1–B2 Listening Practice
Travel EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
B110
How to Introduce Yourself in English
Interview EnglishTeensDaily Conversation
C16
How to THINK in English (and why you must)
Daily Conversation
B12
The ONLY way to become fluent in English in 2026...
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B2439
English TRAVEL Vocabulary: Useful Words & Phrases (Speak Like a Native Speaker When Travelling)
Travel EnglishTeensUniversity Students
B22
Can You Understand The 5 Levels of English?
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B216
Why you can't understand English movies.
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C12
You will NOT become fluent in English (until you do this...)
University StudentsWorking Adults
B24
How to Learn English FASTER (without studying more)
University StudentsWorking Adults
FOR YOU
Recommend Video
B12
746 sentences
100 Verbs Every English Learner Needs (with examples)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1380 sentences
25 Phrases You Need to Understand TV Shows and Movies
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
484 sentences
350 English Chunks for Everyday Use | Shadowing Practice | English Speaking Practice
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
1010 sentences
1000 Most Common English Words You Actually Need to Speak Fluently
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
687 sentences
How to Use PUT, PUT ON, PUT OFF, PUT AWAY & PUT UP WITH in Real English Conversations
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
150 sentences
Important English Phrases For EVERYDAY LIFE
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
17 sentences
10 English Idioms with Meanings You CAN’T Guess
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B12
72 sentences
Stop Saying 'I Think' So Much: 3 Ways to Sound More Confident
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B1648 sentences
Are YOU Mispronouncing These 50 Common English Words?
British AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
A2263 sentences
40 English Words for Everyday Life - Basic Vocabulary #2
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B13
173 sentences
Native English Phrases Speaking Practice with Vocabulary
American AccentDaily ConversationHigh School StudentsUniversity Students
B12
70 sentences
50 Words To Use Instead Of VERY - Part 01 | Don’t Be A Word Bore | Stop Speaking Basic English
Business EnglishDaily ConversationHigh School Students
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B1 speaking lesson is built on the video “15 Words Native English Speakers Use EVERY DAY”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: word, english, speakers, grab, native. This video has 203 sentences and 1520 words to shadow. The speech runs for 10:39. The speaker talks at a steady 143 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 88% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| verb noun | /vɝb/ | A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being. |
| exaggeration noun | /ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/ | The act of heaping or piling up. |
| pronounce verb | /pɹəˈnaʊns/ | To declare formally, officially or ceremoniously. |
| literal adjective | /ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl/ | Exactly as stated; read or understood without interpretation; according to the letter; not figurative or metaphorical; following the letter or exact words; not… |
| pasta noun | /ˈpɑ.stə/ | Dough made from wheat and water and sometimes mixed with egg and formed into various shapes; often sold in dried form and typically boiled for eating. |
| subscribe verb | /səbˈskɹaɪb/ | To write (one’s name) at the bottom of a document; to sign (one's name). |
| emphasis noun | /ˈɛmfəsɪs/ | Special weight or forcefulness given to something considered important. |
| unexpected adjective | /ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/ | Not expected, anticipated or foreseen. |
| habit noun | /ˈhæb.ɪt/ | An action performed on a regular basis. |
| bite verb | /baɪt/ | To cut into something by clamping the teeth. |
| filler noun | /ˈfɪlɚ/ | One who fills. |
| modifier noun | /ˈmɑdɪfaɪɚ/ | One who, or that which, modifies. |
| politely adverb | /pəˈlaɪtli/ | in a polite manner |
| synonym noun | /ˈsɪn.əˌnɪm/ | A term (word or phrase) which is synonymous with others. |
| fluent adjective | /ˈfluənt/ | That flows; flowing, liquid. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| go back to verb | To stem from; to originate in. |
| head out verb | To leave, depart; to go on ahead. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Can you help me fix my computer?
- For example, are you coming to the party?
- Did you enjoy the concert?
- Anyway, what were you saying earlier?
- Did you actually read the whole book?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | you've heard · i've helped · haven't told |
| Past continuous was/were + -ing — an action in progress at a moment in the past | were you saying · were talking |
| Advice with “should” should + verb — saying what is a good idea | should head |
| Possibility with “might / may” might/may + verb — something that is possible but not certain | might not know · might hear |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 59 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, don't, I'll. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: exaggeration /ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/, polish /ˈpɑ.lɪʃ/
- Long words — get the stress right: exaggeration /ɪɡˌzæd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/, unexpected /ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/, incorrectly /ˌɪnkəˈɹɛk(t).li/, notorious /nə(ʊ)ˈtɔː.ɹɪ.əs/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like verb, exaggeration, pronounce.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.